Importing Multiple Rows of Data

Intro

This guide will explain how to import a multiple rows of values into a PowerPoint presentation using data markers. This assumes a basic understanding of data markers.

Basic Setup

In order to import multiple rows of data into a presentation, two conditions must be met:

1. The data source must contain multiple rows of data
2. The template must be designed to enable PowerPointWriter's automatic repeating behavior

Data Sources

PowerPointTemplate has a single method for binding data to the data markers that are located in the template: PowerPointTemplate.BindData. Depending on the data source type and the number of rows in the data source, PowerPointWriter will either import a single row of data or import multiple rows by repeating sections of the presentation.

If the data source only has 1 row or the maximum number of rows to import has been set to 1, then PowerPointWriter will not repeat any part of the presentation.

Setting up the Template

Repeating in a list or table

If a data marker is in a list entry (i.e. bullet point) or table cell, the list entry/table row will be copied for each row of data imported into the presentation.

Preventing overflow

By default, PowerPointWriter will continue to repeat until all of the data in the data source has been imported. To prevent lists and tables from spilling over the edge of the slide, set DataBindingProperties.MaxRowsPerSlide. This will break the data import into "batches" of rows. You can then specify how you want each batch to be imported.

To import only 1 batch, you do not need to do anything further to your presentation. To import multiple batches of rows, you need to use one of the two options (or both):

• Continue modifier
• RepeatSlide marker

Continue modifier

The continue modifier tells PowerPointWriter where the next batch of data should go.

RepeatSlide marker

The repeat slide marker, %%RepeatSlide, goes into the notes section on a slide. After PowerPointWriter is done importing a batch of rows, it will make a copy of the slide

Repeating an entire slide for each row of data

Repeat Slide Behavior

DataBindingProperties

Data binding properties can be used to specify the way data is imported into the presentation.
To set the max number of rows to import onto each slide of the presentation use MaxRowsPerSlide. MaxRowsPerSlide will continue to import more rows of data as long as it can find a data marker with the 'continue' modifier. For more information see Fitting Data on to Multiple Slides